CLARK — Mother Seton Regional High School, a Catholic school for girls that is renowned for “academic excellence and Seton spirit,” is celebrating fifty years of secondary education.

The school originally opened its doors in September of 1963, holding classes in a single wing of a building that was still under construction. Today, on a finished 20-acre campus, the school offers a full range of academic courses, athletic teams, activities, service projects, and social events to students who reside in five different New Jersey counties.

For the golden anniversary, a full year of celebration kicks off on Sept. 20. On that day, current students and faculty will celebrate with a liturgy, brunch reception and early dismissal. Father Kevin Murphy, who teaches Social Studies at Mother Seton, will celebrate the Mass.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, comes a catered luau on the green, a celebration for alumnae, families, friends, faculty and staff.

“We are so happy that so many of our alumnae will be with us to celebrate,” said Principal Sister Regina Martin, S.C. “We expect that alumnae from our first graduating class, the class of 1967, spanning the decades to our most recent graduates of 2013 to join in celebration with us.”

On Sunday, Sept. 22, an anniversary Mass and reception will be held in the school itself. The celebrant will be Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.,Vicar General. Representatives of the Parents Guild, Consultative Board, alumnae, present students, faculty, staff and administration will be involved in various aspects of the liturgy and celebration. Special blessings will be bestowed upon all and reflections of gratitude are also included in the program.

The entire 2013-14 school year will be full of anniversary events, some of them new to the Mother Seton calendar and others, annual events that this year will be bathed in a “golden” light. Plans include a Golden Christmas Tree Lighting, an Alumnae Volleyball Night, an Alumnae Retreat, and an MSR Golden Gala event. Many events are open to the entire Mother Seton community, past and present. For a full listing and for more information, visit www.motherseton.org.

Mother Seton’s anniversary planning committee was formed last spring. Members of the anniversary committee include the Consultative Board, Parents’ Guild, alumnae and school administrators.

Some of the members involved are mother-daughter teams of alumnae. Sister Regina Martin, S.C., Principal, noted that this is a gratifying example of the loyalty and caring that the school engenders: “This is a wonderful tribute to Mother Seton when alumnae send their daughters to their alma mater.”

Concurrent with the year-long celebration is a 50th Anniversary Appeal, “Giving Back…Moving Forward.” To make a donation large or small, please see “Quick Links” on the Mother Seton website, or call the school.

Mother Seton Regional High School is located at exit 135 off the Garden State Parkway in Clark.